Peach tree

ABSTRACT

A peach tree which is large, vigorous, upright, dense, vase form, and hardy; foliated with medium size, lanceolate, acutely pointed leaves having a crenate margin, short thick petiole, and alternate, globose, red glands; blooms early from hardy, medium size, medium length, pointed, appressed, pubescent flower buds; the flowers being of medium size and pink; and is a regular and very productive bearer of early ripening, medium but variable size, clingstone fruit of symmetrical, globose form; the fruit having yellow skin partially overspread with red, and yellow flesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

As an owner of a ranch, including orchards, located near Yuba City,Sutter County, Calif., I frequent such ranch and orchards for thepurpose of inspection, and the supervision of soil cultivation,irrigation, and harvesting of crops. Against this background of myactivities, the present variety of peach tree was discovered by me.

2. Classification of the Variety

The present variety of peach tree is embraced by Class 43, Plants, ofthe United States Patent Office MANUAL OF CLASSIFICATION.

3. Prior Varities

Among existing varieties of peach trees which are known to me andmentioned herein, are the Andross, Fortuna, and Loadel; all unpatented.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was discovered by me growing as afull-scaffold, sport limb on an Andross peach tree in an orchard locatedas aforesaid; it having been observed by me that such sport limb borefruit having an earlier ripening period than the remainder of the fruiton the host tree. Such sport limb was--after my discovery ofit--maintained under close and continuing observation in order toconfirm such earlier ripening period of its fruit, and othercharacteristics which I recognized. Upon such confirmation, I determinedto asexually reproduce the present variety of peach tree incontemplation of its potential for commercial growing.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was asexually reproduced, on mybehalf, by budding undertaken by a commercial nursery, and thereproductions--grown on the aforesaid ranch--ran true, in maturity, inall respects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree is large, vigorous, upright, dense,vase form, and hardy; foliated with medium size, lanceolate, acutelypointed leaves having a crenate margin, soft thick petiole, andalternate, globose, red glands; blooms early from hardy, medium size,medium length, pointed, appressed, pubescent flower buds; the flowersbeing of medium size and pink; and is a regular and very productivebearer of early ripening, medium but variable size, clingstone fruit ofsymmetrical, globose form; the fruit having yellow skin partiallyoverspread with red, and yellow flesh.

The present variety of peach tree is further and more particularlycharacterized as follows:

The fruit ripens about six days before other comparative, earlyripening, clingstone peach varieties such as the Andross, Fortuna, andLoadel; this being of substantial advantage in that it permitsacceleration by several days of the commercial canning season.

Additionally, the fruit--which keeps well and is of excellent canningquality and high flavor--sizes better than other comparative,early-ripening, clingstone peach varieties, and of which the Loadel isrepresentative; and has a large fruit/pit ratio, and a lack of splitpits and gumming.

The tree is more vigorous in growth and has a higher percentage of fruitset than other comparative, early-ripening, clingstone peach varieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of a twig with leaves and fruit, and separate fruit; one of the latterbeing partially cut away to expose the flesh.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of peachtree--with color definitions (except those in common color terms)referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color--are as follows:

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth.--Upright.

Density.--Dense.

Form.--Vase-formed.

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Production.--Very productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Trunk

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Shaggy.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--Brown.

Lenticels:

Number.--Numerous.

Size.--Medium.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 5". Average width -- 11/4".

Form.--Lanceolate. Acutely pointed.

Thickness.--Thin.

Color.--Top side -- Dark green (23-L-9). Under side -- Lighter green(22-J-6).

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Short. Thick.

Glands.--Average number -- 2 per leaf. Alternate. Small. Globose. Red.Positioned on petiole and base of blade.

Stipules.--Wanting.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Pointed. Appressed.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom -- February 23rd. Date of fullbloom -- March 8th. Early, as compared to other varieties.

Size.--Medium.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Hard ripe -- July 15th.

Date of picking.--July 10th-July 15th.

Size.--Medium but variable. Average diameter axially -- 21/2". Averagetransversely in suture plane -- 21/2".

Form.--Symmetrical. Globose.

Suture.--Distinct. Shallow.

Ventral surface.--Rounded strongly.

Base.--Truncate.

Apex.--Short.

Pistil point.--Oblique.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tenacity.--Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Color.--Yellow (11-L-5) partially overspread with red (5-L-5). Somewhatstreaked and mottled.

Down.--Moderate. Short.

Flesh:

Color.--Yellow (10-L-6). Surface of pit cavity -- Yellow.

Juice.--Abundant.

Texture.--Firm. Crisp.

Fibers.--Fine.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Sweet.

Aroma.--Distinct.

Eating quality.--Good.

Stone:

Type.--Cling. Adheres to flesh over entire surface.

Size.--Small. Average length -- 17/8". Average breadth -- 1". Averagethickness -- 11/16".

Form.--Oval.

Base.--Straight.

Hilum.--Narrow.

Apex.--Acute.

Sides.--Equal.

Surface.--Furrowed throughout.

Ridges.--Rounded toward base.

Pits.--Elongated.

Ventral edge.--Thin.

Dorsal edge.--Full, with broad groove.

Color.--Brown (11-J-12).

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Use: Canning.

Keeping quality: Good.

Resistance to insects and diseases: Medium.

The peach tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detaildue to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may begrown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of California.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, particularly characterized by clingstonefruit which ripens about six days before the fruit of other comparative,early ripening, clingstone peach varieties and of which the Loadel isrepresentative.